BED BUGS
TAP INSULATION
In a Phoenix summer, your attic does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s the first line of defense against 110-degree heat, and it’s also a favorite hideout for the ants, roaches, and other insects that slip into your home from above. So what if a single upgrade could help with both? That’s the idea behind TAP insulation, a product that insulates your attic and controls pests at the same time.
What is TAP insulation?
TAP stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control, which is a mouthful, but it describes exactly what the product does. It’s a blown-in cellulose insulation made from more than 80 percent recycled paper and treated with borate, a mineral-based compound.
Here’s what sets it apart from the pink fiberglass in most attics: TAP is registered with the EPA as a pesticide, and it’s the only insulation that carries both an EPA pesticide label and an ENERGY STAR label. In other words, it’s built to do two jobs at once.
How can insulation kill bugs?
It sounds like a gimmick, but the science behind it is simple. Borate is distributed evenly throughout the insulation, so an insect can’t crawl across your attic without picking up the particles.
Most household insects are self-grooming, which means they clean themselves constantly. When they groom, they swallow the borate they picked up, and it disrupts their digestion. They can’t detect the borate to avoid it, and they can’t build up a resistance to it the way they can with some sprays. TAP is labeled to control crawling, self-grooming insects like ants, cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, earwigs, and even termites.
One honest limit worth knowing: TAP works on insects, not rodents. Rats and mice are far too big for the borate to affect them, so keeping those out still takes separate rodent exclusion.
The other half: a lower energy bill
Pest control is the headline, but for a lot of Phoenix homeowners, the energy savings are the reason they call. Blown-in cellulose settles into every gap and corner, giving you more even coverage than fiberglass batts, which tend to leave spots thin or bare.
Better coverage means your air conditioner works less to hold a comfortable temperature. ENERGY STAR estimates that sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save around 15 percent on heating and cooling costs, and in a climate where the AC runs for months, that adds up. TAP is also made from recycled paper, and the same dense cellulose helps muffle outside noise.
Is it safe for my family and pets?
That’s usually the next question, and it’s a fair one. Borate has very low toxicity to people and pets. It’s the same class of compound found in everyday products like contact lens solution. It’s highly toxic to insects, but not to mammals at these levels.
It also helps that TAP lives up in your attic, not along your baseboards or inside your cabinets, so day-to-day contact is minimal. The product is fire-retardant, and it’s installed by licensed pest professionals rather than sold as a DIY kit.
Is TAP right for your home?
TAP isn’t the answer for every house, so here’s a simple way to think about it. TAP makes the most sense if you’re already considering new attic insulation, if your energy bills climb every summer, or if you keep finding insects coming from above. Because it’s blown right over your existing insulation, it’s a practical upgrade for an older home.
It does cost more up front than basic fiberglass. The trade-off is that you’re getting insulation and pest control in one, and you may qualify for energy rebates or tax credits, so it’s worth asking about current programs. Just remember that it handles insects, not rodents.
Take ACTION on Your Attic
Not sure whether TAP is a fit for your home? That’s an easy thing to find out. Our licensed technicians can inspect your attic, check your current insulation, and walk you through whether TAP makes sense for your situation.
ACTION Termite & Pest Control has been protecting Arizona homes since 1969, and TAP insulation is one more way we help you keep pests out and comfort in. Schedule a free evaluation or call ACTION at (602) 899-2222, and take ACTION to your attic.